Aircraft

Abstract

An aircraft includes a fuselage and propellers, wherein the propellers can be retracted beneath the fuselage.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An aircraft comprising:
 a fuselage; 
 foldable wings extending outwardly from the fuselage; 
 a first set of propellers that are mounted on foldable wings, wherein the first set of propellers are fixed on the foldable wings for generating vertical thrust during take off and landing operations; 
 a second set of propellers that are mounted on a trailing edge of the foldable wings at a location that is rearward of the first set of propellers, as viewed in a forward direction of travel of the aircraft, wherein the second set of propellers are movable between (i) a first orientation where the second set of propellers are oriented for generating vertical thrust during take off and landing operations, and (ii) a second orientation where the second set of propellers are oriented for generating horizontal thrust for cruising; 
 an opening formed in one of the wings that communicates with one propeller of the first set of propellers associated with said wing; 
 louvers mounted at the opening, wherein the louvers are configured to selectively cover the opening and said one propeller of the first set of propellers in a closed position of the louvers, wherein each louver is configured to move between the closed position and an open position; and 
 a sealing ring to which the louvers are each connected, wherein the sealing ring is movable between (i) a deployed position in which the sealing ring and the louvers are spaced apart from the opening to permit the entrance of air to said one propeller, and (ii) a retracted position where the sealing ring is flush with the opening. 
 
     
     
       2. The aircraft as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the each propeller of the first set of propellers has a rotational axis which is parallel to a yaw axis of the aircraft. 
     
     
       3. The aircraft as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the aircraft has a fully electric drive. 
     
     
       4. The aircraft as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the aircraft comprises a chargeable battery system. 
     
     
       5. The aircraft as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an opening formed on a nose of the fuselage and an air duct extending from the opening to the first set of propellers. 
     
     
       6. The aircraft of  claim 1 , wherein each foldable wing includes a fixed portion extending from the fuselage and a foldable portion that is pivotably mounted to the fixed portion. 
     
     
       7. The aircraft of  claim 6 , wherein each propeller of the first and second sets of propellers is mounted to one of the fixed portions. 
     
     
       8. The aircraft of  claim 1 , wherein one propeller of the first set of propellers and one propeller of the second set of propellers are mounted to the same wing of the foldable wings.